Solutions to the 30 Biggest Landscaping Mistakes

Fall yard projects tend to produce a good amount of waste; what a shame to let good waste go to waste.

Instead of tossing out those fall leaves, branches, clippings and other debris from your fall clean-up, dispose of them in an eco-friendly way. Rent a shredder and turn them into mulch, and put lawn clippings back on the lawn — they are both great fertilizers. Better yet, create a compost pile or build a compost bin. Layer yard waste with food scraps and in no time you'll have rich fertilzer that didn't cost you a dime.

Never underestimate the power of curb appeal. A lot of homeowners put all of their energy into the backyard, but the front of the house is where first impressions are made.

There are three simple improvements you can make that make a big difference. Paint your door a contrasting color than the base color of your home, keep the grass trim and green and plant colorful flowers.

Before filling your yard with a gaggle of garden gnomes, ask yourself why you're putting it there and how it fits the context of your overall design and plant materials. Stick with one choice, even if it is a little silly. One whimsical statement goes a lot further than 10.

Let's be honest: Quality tools cost a pretty penny so leaving them out to ruin in the rain is like throwing money away. Plus, rusty shears will make uneven, dull cuts that can harm even healthy plants.

Whether it's an organized corner in your garage or a standalone garden shed, storing expensive garden tools indoors will prolong their usefulness for many years to come.

Avoid these scenarios by looking at the main stem, where the largest branch is and then where all of the tentacles come out. That's the root ball, and that's what you want to meet, right along the surface. A good rule of thumb with plants is to dig to the actual height of the container in which it came.

Even the most couch-loving indoor pup will want to spend some time outdoors — especially, if that's where you're spending a lot of your time.

Pets are family but, unfortunately, some common plants may be harmful or even poisonous to your furbaby. Check out the list, below, of the common landscape plants to avoid.

Many newbie gardeners think that a regular dousing of pesticide is necessary to keep bugs at bay and promote healthy plant growth.

Pesticides are a case where even a little bit can be a disastrous thing. Pesticides are essentially poison — poison that can not only ultimately end up in the food you eat but also wipe out beneficial bugs, like bees, moths and butterflies, in addition to any leaf-eating 'pests' you're hoping to target.

It's a common myth that cutting the grass shorter means you have to mow it less. That's actually not the case, and you can do more harm than good. If you scalp the lawn, it could result in a bare patch, which could make it inviting for insects and susceptible to disease.

It may seem like common sense to think about the view from inside the house, but a lot of people forget it. Keep in mind what it looks like from all angles.

Place your containers where you want them, and then go inside and look through every major window to see what they'll look like before you plant. It should be like a painting. When you look out, you should see the glass framed with beautiful trees and foliage.

If you put a plant in a pot that is too large, it can shift, sink down into the soil, get too much water or dry out too fast. On the other hand, a pot that is too small will quickly make the plant become rootbound.

There are two ways that fertilizing can be a mistake. The first one is not doing it at all. The other is fertilizing too much or fertilizing improperly.

Ask someone at your garden center to recommend a proper fertilizer for your yard. It's a good idea to do it at least twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall. You should never do it in the bright sun, and watering always needs to follow. It's also a good idea to mix in fertilizer when planting new plants. Make sure that, when you dig the hole, you mix in new soil and fertilizer so the plant, over the period of a year, is going to have a nice time release of fertilizer.

Get plants that will work well in your space. Consider native plants, they'll likely be successful. Big box stores may not always have the answers, you may find a nursery or garden center will know what grows best in your area and under what conditions.

You could be planting a buffet rather than a garden if you don't consider what animals or garden pests might be around.

Before you decide what to plant in your garden, think about what critters you have in relation to what you'd like to plant. For example, pretty flowering plants can attract deer, so you might want to throw in some bitter-tasting ones among them. Once they taste the wrong one, they are likely to stop coming around. If there are wild rabbits around, you may need to shelter your garden bed by building a small fence. Chicken wire is another option.

Pruning can be just as much of an art form as it is a technique, but when pruning is not done correctly, you can do more harm than good. In fact, in some cases, it's better not to prune at all than to do it improperly.

A lush carpet of grass is great but to really get the most of your landscape, follow the same rule you would for interior design and incorporate a focal point.

Of course, your landscape's focal point doesn't have to be this elaborate but a view this lovely certainly is inspiring and may encourage you to plant an ornamental tree, add a pergola or plan a garden bed that will be the star of your outdoor design.

It happens to the best of us. You neglect your yard for a short time and, before you know it, weeds have spread to every corner of your formerly lush lawn.

Hand-digging weeds may be a time-consuming proposition but it's typically the most effective while also not damaging the surrounding plants — as spraying an herbicide might. For weeds with a long taproot, like the ever-evasive dandelion, be sure to dig up the entire root or this willful weed may return.

The best time of day to water the lawn (and usually any plant) is early morning so it has all day to dry. You can buy a sprinkler with an automatic timer to reduce water waste, or even put in an irrigation system.

Think about the size of the job and dictate the size of the tool accordingly. Some must-haves are safety goggles, gloves, a solid shovel and a good rake. Keep them organized, and keep them clean. For specialty jobs, you might want to consider renting a tool, and not just power equipment, but hand tools too. Maybe you don't need that tool for the rest of your life, but you need it for that one specific job.

Sit down and make a list of what you want to do in your yard, making sure to look at the needs of everyone in the household including pets. And, make a plan that will allow your landscape to mature as your family does.

Yes, flowers are pretty and buying a lot of them may seem pretty darn tempting but buying plants without a plan can be disastrous.

As the old adage goes, failing to plan is planning to fail.

Decide on a specific theme or look and then draw it out on paper. Figure out where you want to put your plants and shrubs in relation to the shape and style of your house. Examine ways to bring the inside out so that when you are finished, you have a nice, harmonious design. Don't forget to factor in your budget, and when you hit the nursery, stick to it. If you follow the plan, you (and your landscape) will reap the rewards.

Not planning a garden for year-round color or interest.

Plan out your garden with regard to the seasons. When homeowners go to a nursery or plant yard, they often just buy what's in season at the time. Various flowers bloom at certain times of the year. If you've got a lot of plants that are blooming in the spring, remember that in the fall you're going to need some other plants, if you want foliage. Also, try to select plants that look good in the winter and in the spring.

Adding some exterior lighting not only helps with vision and movement, but it also really makes the garden pop. It doesn't have to be expensive or entail a lot of effort. For instance, there are a lot of good solar lights that can easily be stuck in the ground. The sun heats them up all day and then at night they give off a soft glow.

Not considering your home's architectural style when choosing plants.